Principles, Process and Practice of Professional Number Juggling

The first volume in the Working Guides to Estimating provides an overview of the main processes, methods and techniques that are used for building project and engineering estimates. Alan Jones outlines the principles of Best Practice Spreadsheet Modelling and discusses the concepts of Spreadsheet risks and Estimate Maturity.

Zusatztext 82961233 Informationen zum Autor Alan R. Jones is Principal Consultant at Estimata Limited, an estimating consultancy service. He is a Certified Cost Estimator/Analyst (US) and Certified Cost Engineer (CCE) (UK). Prior to setting up his own business, he has enjoyed a 40-year career in the UK aerospace and defence industry as an estimator, culminating in the role of Chief Estimator at BAE Systems. Alan is a Fellow of the Association of Cost Engineers and a Member of the International Cost Estimating and Analysis Association. Historically (some four decades ago), Alan was a graduate in Mathematics from Imperial College of Science and Technology in London, and was an MBA Prize-winner at the Henley Management College ( that was slightly more recent, being only two decades ago). Oh, how time flies when you are enjoying yourself. Zusammenfassung The first volume in the Working Guides to Estimating provides an overview of the main processes, methods and techniques that are used for building project and engineering estimates. Alan Jones outlines the principles of Best Practice Spreadsheet Modelling and discusses the concepts of Spreadsheet risks and Estimate Maturity. Inhaltsverzeichnis Contents, Foreword, 1 Introduction and Objectives, 1.1 Why write this book? Who might find it useful? Why Five Volumes? 1.1.1 Why write this series? Who might find it useful? 1.1.2 Why Five Volumes? 1.2 Features you'll find in this book and others in this series, 1.2.1 Chapter Context, 1.2.2 The Lighter Side (humour), 1.2.3 Quotations, 1.2.4 Definitions, 1.2.5 Discussions and Explanations with a Mathematical Slant for Formula-philes, 1.2.6 Discussions and Explanations without a Mathematical Slant for Formula-phobes, 1.2.7 Caveat Augur, 1.2.8 Worked Examples, 1.2.9 Useful Microsoft Excel Functions and Facilities, 1.2.10 References to Authoritative Sources, 1.2.11 Chapter Reviews, 1.3 Overview of Chapters in this Volume, 1.4 Elsewhere in the 'Working Guide to Estimating & Forecasting' Series, 1.4.1 Volume I: Principles, Process and Practice of Professional Number Juggling, 1.4.2 Volume II: Probability, Statistics and other Frightening Stuff, 1.4.3 Volume III: Best Fit Lines & Curves, and some Mathe-Magical Transformations, 1.4.4 Volume IV: Learning, Unlearning and Re-Learning Curves, 1.4.5 Volume V: Risk, Opportunity, Uncertainty and Other Random Models, 1.5 Final Thoughts and Musings on this Volume and Series, References, 2 Methods, Approaches, Techniques and Related Terms, 2.1 What is the Difference between a Method, Approach and Technique? 2.2 Estimating Process, 2.3 Estimating Approaches, 2.3.1 Top-down Approach, 2.3.2 Bottom-up Approach, 2.3.3 Ethereal Approach, 2.4 Estimating Methods, 2.4.1 Analogical Method, 2.4.2 Parametric Method, 2.4.3 'Trusted Source' Method, 2.4.4 Methods that are arguably not Methods (in their own right), 2.5 Estimating Techniques, 2.6 Estimating Procedures, 2.7 Combining Approaches and Methods, 2.7.1 Choice of Estimating Approach for a Chosen Estimating Element, 2.7.2 Choice of Estimating Method for a Chosen Estimating Approach, 2.7.3 Choice of Estimating Technique for a Chosen Estimating Method, 2.8 Chapter Review, References, 3 Estimate TRACEability and Health Checks, 3.1 Basis of Estimate, TRACEability and Estimate Maturity, 3.1.1 Building Bridges Between Two Estimates, 3.2 Estimate and Schedule Maturity Assessments, 3.2.1 Estimate Maturity Assessment (EMA), 3.2.2 Schedule Maturity Assessment (SMA), 3.2.3 Cost and Schedule Integration Maturity Assessment (CASIMA), 3.3 Good Practice Spreadsheet Modelling (GPSM), 3.3.1 Level of Documentation (T, M), 3.3.2 No Hidden Worksheets, Columns or Rows (T, M), 3.3.3 Colour Coded Cells and Worksheet Tabs (U, S), 3.3.4 Locked Calculation Cells and Protected Worksheets and Workbooks (S), 3.3.5 No Hard-Coded Constants unless Axiomatic (M), 3.3.6 Left to Right and Top to Bottom Readability Flow (U), 3.3.7 Avoid D...

"In the Working Guides to Estimating and Forecasting Alan has managed to capture the full spectrum of relevant topics with simple explanations, practical examples and academic rigor, while injecting humour into the narrative." Dale Shermon, Chairman, Society of Cost Analysis and Forecasting (SCAF). "If estimating has always baffled you, this innovative well illustrated and user friendly book will prove a revelation to its mysteries. To confidently forecast, minimise risk and reduce uncertainty we need full disclosure into the science and art of estimating. Thankfully, and at long last the "Working Guides to Estimating & Forecasting" are exactly that, full of practical examples giving clarity, understanding and validity to the techniques. These are comprehensive step by step guides in understanding the principles of estimating using experientially based models to analyse the most appropriate, repeatable, transparent and credible outcomes. Each of the five volumes affords a valuable tool for both corporate reference and an outstanding practical resource for the teaching and training of this elusive and complex subject. I wish I had access to such a thorough reference when I started in this discipline over 15 years ago, I am looking forward to adding this to my library and using it with my team." - Tracey L Clavell, Head of Estimating & Pricing, BAE Systems Australia "At last, a comprehensive compendium on these engineering math subjects, essential to both the new and established "cost engineer"! As expected the subjects are presented with the author's usual wit and humour on complex and daunting "mathematically challenging" subjects. As a professional trainer within the MOD Cost Engineering community trying to embed this into my students, I will be recommending this series of books as essential bedtime reading." - Steve Baker, Senior Cost Engineer, DE&S MOD "Alan has been a highly regarded member of the Cost Estimating and forecasting profession for several years. He is well known for an ability to reduce difficult topics and cost estimating methods down to something that is easily digested. As a master of this communication he would most often be found providing training across the cost estimating and forecasting tools and at all levels of expertise. With this 5-volume set, Working Guides to Estimating and Forecasting, Alan has brought his normal verbal training method into a written form. Within their covers Alan steers away from the usual dry academic script into establishing an almost 1:1 relationship with the reader. For my money a recommendable read for all levels of the Cost Estimating and forecasting profession and those who simply want to understand what is in the 'blackbox' just a bit more." - Prof Robert Mills, Margin Engineering, Birmingham City University. MACOSTE, SCAF, ICEAA. "Finally, a book to fill the gap in cost estimating and forecasting! Although other publications exist in this field, they tend to be light on detail whilst also failing to cover many of the essential aspects of estimating and forecasting. Jones covers all this and more from both a theoretical and practical point of view, regularly drawing on his considerable experience in the defence industry to provide many practical examples to support his comments. Heavily illustrated throughout, and often presented in a humorous fashion, this is a must read for those who want to understand the importance of cost estimating within the broader field of project management." - Dr Paul Blackwell, Lecturer in Management of Projects, The University of Manchester, UK. "Alan Jones provides a useful guidebook and navigation aid for those entering the field of estimating as well as an overvi…